Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others

Posted: September 5th, 2013

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Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others

Cover letter

1) What is your purpose in writing this essay?

The purpose of this essay is to convince the reader of the inadequacy of the claims of Mr. Booker T. Washington on submission of rights and creation of wealth. All of these aspects he terms that the black race should submit or give up are intertwined. The claim to give up one rights to achieve another is impractical because they both need each other for relevance. Wealth and civil rights are intertwined civil rights are needed for the acquisition maintenance and protection of the acquired wealth. I hope for the audience to understand the actualization of rights should take place in whole manner and not in fragmental approaches as Mr. Washington claims submission for others in order to gain others (Du Bois, 32).

2) What did you learn from completing this assignment? Did you experience a new understanding of the topic? Did you change your perspective after completing the essay?

From this essay, I learn the presence of deep-rooted racial prejudice within the society coupled by the superiority and inferiority complexes within these races. At the beginning of the essay, I thought of the perspective from which Mr. Washington was advocating for submission. However, the complexities surrounding these claimed rights and given rights were tantamount to change the perspective for the rights of the people. The topic of the essay is a direct criticism of those who are claimed to be civil activists whose conducts could be simply termed as laid back as they have assumed a hands off approach from the claims of Mr. Washington on submission of rights to acquire other liberties, which are not essential for survival.

3) What difficulties did you encounter during the writing or editing phases of the assignment?

The formation of a strong conclusion and the different ideas and messages form the essay were numerous and it was difficult to incorporate one specific theme within the essay. However, the insufficiency of the claims by Mr. Washington proved to be a collective theme as it summed up the issues within the essay. In addition the acquired them could not be sufficiently expounded in a two-page essay thus I had to squeeze in all the ideas in two pages.
4) What did you enjoy about this assignment?

It made me realize of the internal divides within the civil rights advocacy world. This is because of the divide in terms of the opinions and approaches, which could have been assumed in fighting for equality and other civil liberties within America. In addition, it made me realize of the inadequacy of Mr. Booker T. Washington’s approach is submission of rights.

5) Which essay did you chose? Why did you choose it?

I chose the essay Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and others. The reason for this essay is that it assumes different perspectives in civil advocacy. In addition it indicates of the presence of divide in the civil advocacy realm as they seem to hold different opinions and fear of reprisal actions by supporters of Mr. Washington.
6) Is there anything else you would like for me to know before I read your essay?

Despite my opposition against the position held by Mr. Washington, from another perspective I find his approach assuming because he seems to pressure the colored people to first assume social status and accept the presence of differences by seeking equality through wealth and industrialization. It could be termed as ‘if you can’t beat them join them’ which is used to indicate acceptance of current terms such as inequality and racial prejudice.

Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others

W.E. Du Bois gives an implicit signification that he is not contented by the actions and statements of Mr. Booker T Washington. He questions the presence of development in terms of wealth and civic knowledge without the presence of civil rights and other fundamental legal rights for a race. in addition his questions could be described as sufficient because the ability to possess wealth in whatever nature should be coupled by the presence of legal or civil liberties for a race to avail them with the ability to protect their rights. On the other hand, respect is unachievable with the presence of social classes all of which are based on differences of races. Hence, he questions the acclaimed liberties for the colored people without the ability to possess simple and basic liberties or civil rights to exercise fully these rights, which Mr. Washington conveys to the public(Du Bois, 37).

The author is precise as he questions the intentions of Mr. Washington in convincing the people of color to focus on issues such as wealth creation by submission of rights such as political power, their civil rights and higher education for the Negro youth. I agree with the author of the improbability posed by surrender of these fundamental rights for the colored people.

Mr. Washington emphasizes that colored people should first seek industrial education which will enable them to seek wealth and grow their race. Hence, Mr. Washington seems to advocate for the presence of social division with specific reference to that defined by the color of the skin. In addition, this is an indication of the growth of social prejudice in that it has taken firm root in the society. in addition if it was possible for people of color to acquire wealth, how would they protect their legitimately acquired wealth without the presence of people who are knowledgeable on legal issues such as civil liberties?. Thus, this is an indication of the insufficiency of the claims of Mr. Washington(Du Bois, 39).

Furthermore, Mr. Washington also advocates for the surrender of civil rights. This could be considered as an act of degradation of the colored people as he seems to advocate for superiority of one race and inferiority for another. Hence, he spreads a message of social divide and racial prejudice within the American populace (Du Bois, 23).

In conclusion, the empowerment of the colored people should not assume an approach, which could be simply termed as advocacy of inferiority in terms of race. on the other hand, creation of wealth is impossible without adequate knowledge on the creation, protection and maintenance of the same. Hence, colored people need higher institutions of learning like those of other races in America coupled by the presence of civil liberties like all other people to emphasis the presence of equality without any prejudice in terms of race.

Work Cited

Du Bois,Edwards Brent Hayes. “Chapter Three, Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others,” The Souls of Black Folk. Oxford University Press, 2009. Print.